Attacker targets pregnant woman at West Mifflin bus stop; No arrests made

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — A pregnant woman waiting for a bus in West Mifflin was attacked Monday night, police said.

Investigators said Heather Heath, 22, had just finished class at Empire Beauty School at Century Square Mall around 9:30 p.m. when the attacker first asked her when the next bus was expected to arrive at the Century Drive stop.

"I left school and was walking to the bus and I heard a car pull up. The door opened and a guy got out. He asked me when one of the buses was coming, and I didn't know, so he got back in his car," Heath said.

According to police, the man left briefly and then returned, attacking Heath from behind. Investigators said the man covered her mouth with an unknown object that contained some sort of liquid substance.

"I heard footsteps and two seconds later is when he grabbed me from behind and put a cloth over my face," Heath said. "I started screaming and trying to get loose. He finally let go and I took off down the street."

Police said they recovered some of the liquid substance and have taken the sample to a crime lab for testing.

Heath ran back into the school and one of her teacher's alerted police.

"She did phenomenal. She was able to get away and was unhurt and received medical attention," said West Mifflin Police Chief Kenneth Davies.

Police describe the attacker as a white male, around 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 167-170 pounds with a husky build. Heath said the man had dark blonde or light brown hair and was wearing a green sweatshirt and a multicolored hat.

"He looked scruffy and had a multicolored hat. He was wearing blue jeans and what looked like a jean jacket with a lot of pockets. Other than that, I don't remember much," Heath said.

Heath told police that she witnessed the man leaving in a "90s box-type vehicle with four doors, turquoise in color with no hubcaps."

"I've never seen him before, and I've never seen his car before," Heath said.

Responding officers said they arrived at the scene two minutes after the initial call and were unable to locate the attacker. Police said they are now working to obtain surveillance video from the area.

Heath told Channel 11's Brandon Hudson that she's afraid, knowing that the attacker is still on the loose.

"It's really hard to leave my house," Heath said. "I'm really nervous, shaken up and scared."

Investigators haven't said if they believe the attacker had a motive.

"He didn't even try to get my purse," Heath said. "It was only me he was after."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police.

WPXI